Hello from Paris !
I’m Flora Goldenberg, Tour guide in Paris.
Following my last article March 12TH , here are some some updates from the Jewish Quarter Paris – Situation on March 13TH.
Today is Friday March 13th, and yesterday evening, our {young} president, Emmanuel Macron, announced some new restrictions due to the spread of the virus. All schools, pre-schools, universities etc… will be closed starting on Monday. This is to slow the spread of the virus and give more time for french scientists, famous to be the best at epidemiology , to test and learn about the virus. (you can check my Medicine Tour of Paris)
The french president insisted that only Science and true verified Facts are taken into account by french government, nothing else.
— >READ ABOUT NEXT DAY March 14TH
As an independent worker, I don’t have to go to the office on Monday. As my visitors had to cancel their trip, I will be home, taking care of my baby girl.
But as an independent worker, it also means that when I am not walking around my beautiful city with the tourists, I don’t get a salary.
On that matter, The president drew a line on helping everyone by exempting taxes on all french enterprises, including small entrepreneurs (just like me) , to keep the french economy flowing during this worldwide crisis. Good national initiative !
I know this is an important change, especially coming from a socialist country like France, where people pay a lot of taxes (near 45% on revenue) to make the country work !
But it is still difficult to know how things are going to be, and I have to say that, after a couple of days, things are blurry, and every institution is trying its best to adapt as fast as possible to the new situation
— >READ ABOUT NEXT DAY March 14TH
For now, things are still casual in Paris. Today is Shabbat, and the Jewish Parisians are getting prepared, shopping for their fresh shallots for tonight. Everybody is smiling, because the sun is back, and because the weekend is coming.
It is funny how the Parisians keep it cool, casual, nonchalant and chic, even during the crisis ! I spotted many of them, drinking beer, wine or coffee, and getting a nice pre-spring tan, while working from a chic Parisian Café on the terrasse. As they don’t have to go to the office and can work from “home” ! some of them even do “La bise”
( The health experts prohibited to do “la bise” which refers to the customary French greeting of giving someone a peck (or more than one!) on both cheeks. )
Nobody is rushing to the supermarkets … yet !
I took a stroll on the Ile de la Cité, walked by Notre Dame (still under construction since the fire), and by the Seine river and the Pompidou Center. I love Paris so much that it is difficult to be on my own when I am walking around, because I love to show the City to the visitors and make them discover its history !
More news this weekend !
and Shabbat Shalom
READ ABOUT NEXT DAY March 14TH